“Tonight Samuel and I read the story of ‘Jacob and Esau making peace’. The verse that stuck out to me the most tonight is Genesis 33:10, where Jacob says to Esau “And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God.”

Jacob was preparing to meet a very angry and bitter Esau, but instead was received with Love and forgiveness. I believe one of the practical ways God reveals himself to us is by countering our expectations with the “last thing we expect.”

Expectations are one of the ways we feel in control of what is going on around us, but also one of the great blinders over our eyes from seeing God. Sometimes it is a fearful experience when things don’t turn out the way we plan. Other times (like with Jacob) it is a great relief when things don’t turn out the way we plan.

Either way, these are often the moments in life that we see the face of God most clearly.”

Another Entry:

(john 14:6) “Christ claimed to be the way, the Truth, and the life. For this reason, he could never be satisfied with adherents who accepted his teaching- especially with those who in their lives ignored it…His whole life on earth from beginning to end was destined to have followers and to make admirers impossible.” -soren kierkegaard

Jesus- help us follow you and not just admire you. Admiring you requires little attention to you, and almost no personal sacrifice. Following you requires my total attention and my whole life. Also, I want to follow you more than I believe in you. Believing you has not made me follow you as much as following you has made me believe you and trust you.